Dr Mohammad Reza Allazadeh,
Volume 9, Issue 3 (9-2012)
Abstract
Abstract: A combination of a finite element method (FEM) algorithm with ANSYS codes and post image processing of NDT ultrasonic images along with laboratory cooling experiments and microstructural analysis provide a guideline to determine the optimum cooling rate for any grade of steel in which the highest productivity can be achieved without any degradation of the cast steel products. The suggested FEM algorithm with ANSYS codes is introduced to develop a quasi real models to simulate quenching of as-cast steel with any cooling rate from any initial temperature below steel’s melting point. The algorithm builds a model which is capable to approximate the thermodynamic stresses generated by thermal strain and possible solid-solid phase transformation for as-cast steel with any chemical composition. The model is applicable for any casting geometry (slab, billet and bloom, bar, etc) and adaptable for any method of cooling (unidirectional or multidirectional). Cooling with any cooling agent can be simulated with the algorithm in an ideal case. The phase transformation of the steel in the algorithm can be controlled by Continuous Cooling Transformation (CCT) Diagram obtained from analytical calculation or real time-temperature-transformation experiments for the cast steel. A function for optimizing cooling rate is suggested.
M. Alipour, M. Emami, R. Eslami Farsania, M. H. Siadati, H. Khorsand,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (12-2015)
Abstract
A modified strain-induced melt activation (SIMA) process was applied and its effect on the structural characteristics and hardness of the aluminum alloy Al–12Zn–3Mg–2.5Cu was investigated. Specimens subjected to a deformation of 40% at 300 °C were heat treated at various times (10-40 min) and temperatures (550-600 °C). Microstructural studies were carried out using optical and scanning electron microscopies (SEM). Results showed that the best microstructure was obtained at the temperature and time of 575 °C and 20 min, respectively. The hardness test results revealed superior hardness in comparison with the samples prepared without the application of the modified SIMA process.
T6 heat treatment including quenching to 25 °C and aging at 120 °C for 24 h was employed to reach to the maximum strength. After the T6 heat treatment, the average tensile strength increased from 231 MPa to 487 and 215 MPa to 462 for samples before and after strain-induced melt activation process, respectively. Ultimate strength of globular microstructure specimens after SIMA process has a lower value than as-cast specimens without SIMA process
M. Divandari, M. Mehrabian,
Volume 14, Issue 3 (9-2017)
Abstract
This paper investigates the difference between thickness of zinc-based alloys oxide films in dynamic condition using the oxide-metal-oxide (OMO) sandwich method and static condition by theoretical calculations. In dynamic condition, the thickness of the oxide film in the OMO sandwich sample was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the static condition, the thickness and type of the oxide films were studied based on thermodynamic and kinetic estimations. The results showed that the oxide film thickness in molten Zn4Al and ZA27 alloys using OMO sandwich method was estimated to be in the range of 70-200 nm and 30-100 nm, respectively. However, the thickness of oxide films in the static oxidation based on the theoretical calculations, regardless of melt chemical composition, were about 2-5 nm.
A. Kermanpur, H. Ebrahimiyan, A. Heydari, D. Heydari, M. Bahmani,
Volume 14, Issue 4 (12-2017)
Abstract
Formation of stray grain defects particularly around re-entrant features of the turbine blade airfoils is one of the major problems in directional and single crystal solidification processes. In this work, directional solidification tests of the GTD-111 Ni-based superalloy were conducted at different withdrawal velocities of 3, 6 and 9 mm.min-1 using various stepped cylindrical and cubic designs. The process was also simulated using ProCAST finite element solver to characterize the crystal orientations. The phase transformation temperatures of the superalloy were estimated by the differential scanning calorimetry test. A process map was developed to predict the formation of stray grains in the platform regions of the stepped cylindrical and cubic specimens using the experimentally-validated simulation model. The process map shows critical values of the platform size, withdrawal velocity and initial sample size for the stray grain formation. The withdrawal velocity, platform size and initial sample size all had an inverse effect on the formation of stray grains.
V. Lykhoshva, A. Tymoshenko, L. Mosentsova, V. Savin, D. Schitz,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (3-2018)
Abstract
This article studies the particle temperature distribution depending on the laser radiation power and the particle’s trajectory and velocity. The uneven heating of particles moving in the laser radiation field is identified. The regimes of laser heating without melting, with partial melting, and with complete particle melting are considered.
B. Sharif, H. Saghafian, H. Razavi,
Volume 15, Issue 2 (6-2018)
Abstract
In the present research, thixoforming route was carried out in order to enhance the microstructural features of LM28 piston alloy. Typical microstructure of this alloy was composed of coarse, polygonal primary silicon particles, eutectic matrix and intermetallic phases. Thermal analysis was carried out to study the solidification path of the base alloy and determine the major arrest temperatures of metallurgical reactions. Continuous and iso-thermal mechanical stirring were utilized to produce non-dendritic LM28 alloy feedstock for further processing. The rheocast samples were subjected to a rotation speed of 450 rpm. The slugs machined from the solidified rheocast specimens were heated in the mushy zone temperature and then were thixoformed via a laboratory press. The thixoformed specimens show a relatively homogenous microstructure and present no evidence of porosities. Fine, blocky primary silicon and Fe-rich intermetallic particles were uniformly distributed in the matrix of LM28 alloy. Optical microscope and scanning electron microscope linked with EDX were used to investigate the microstructure of specimens
S. Kord, M. H. Siadati, M. Alipour, H. Amiri, P.g. Koppad, A. C. Gowda,
Volume 15, Issue 4 (12-2018)
Abstract
The effects of rare earth element, erbium (Er) additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-15Zn-2.5Mg-2.5Cu alloy have been investigated. This new high strength alloy with erbium additions (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 wt%) was synthesized by liquid metallurgy route followed by hot extrusion. Microstructural characterization was performed using scanning electron microscope and electron probe microanalysis. Significant amount of grain refinement was observed with erbium addition in the hot extruded and heat treated alloy. Tensile test was performed to investigate the effect rare earth on mechanical behavior of alloy in as cast and hot extruded condition before and after T6 heat treatment. The combined effect of erbium addition, hot extrusion and heat treatment significantly enhanced the tensile strength of alloy (602 MPa) when compared to the as cast alloy without erbium addition (225 MPa). The strengthening of the alloy was attributed to grain refinement caused by erbium along with hot extrusion and formation of precipitates after T6 heat treatment. Fractograhic investigations revealed that the hot extruded alloy with erbium addition after heat treatment showed uniformly distributed deep dimples exhibiting ductile behavior.
M. Gholami, M. Divandari,
Volume 15, Issue 4 (12-2018)
Abstract
Centrifugal casting process, in both horizontal and vertical mode, is considered as an efficient method to produce bimetallic components. Al/Cu65Zn35 couples were prepared by the vertical centrifugal casting process. In this study, different volume of molten aluminum having melt-to-solid (m/s) volume ratios (VR) of 1.5 and 2.5, were cast into preheated brass bush rotating at 800, 1600, and 2000 (rpm), respectively. The thickness of the interface, which is composed of three different zones, is depended on the rotational speed and the (VR) and was at least 490µm (at VR=1.5 and 2000 rpm) and at most 1480 µm (at VR=2.5 and 800 rpm). The results of optical microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the interface layers are composed of Al2Cu5Zn4, Al3Cu3Zn, Al2Cu precipitates dispersed in the matrix and finally α-Al/Al2Cu anomalous eutectic structure near the aluminum side. Gas pore entrapment and oxide film entrainment defect was detected within the interface next to the aluminum base metal.
R. Niazi, E. Tohidlou, H. Khosravi,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (9-2020)
Abstract
The effects of erbium (Er) addition at various weight percentages (0-0.6 wt.% at an interval of 0.2) on the microstructural characteristics, tensile response and
wear properties of as-cast Al-7.5Si-0.5Mg alloy were evaluated. The microstructure of samples was examined by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The obtained results demonstrated that the incorporation of erbium obviously decreased the α-Al grain size and eutectic Si, and altered the Si morphology from plate to semi-globular. Further addition of erbium (> 0.2 wt.%) did not alter the eutectic morphology and size. Moreover, the Al
3Er phase was also observed in the eutectic region after modification. Out of the erbium contents used, 0.2 wt.% erbium showed the best influence on the tensile and wear properties. Compared with those of unmodified specimen, the values of ultimate tensile strength and elongation were enhanced by 31% and 39%, respectively with the introduction of 0.2 wt.% erbium. Additionally, a remarkable enhancement in the wear properties was observed with the addition of 0.2 wt.% erbium.
M. Hamdi, H. Saghafian Larijani, S. G. Shabestari, N. Rahbari,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (9-2020)
Abstract
Aluminum matrix composites are candidate materials for aerospace and automotive industries owing to their specific properties such as high elastic modulus (E), improved strength and low wear rate. The effect of thixoforming process on the wear behavior of an Al-Mg2Si composite was studied in this paper. During applying thixoforming process, casting defects such as macrosegration, shrinkage and porosity are being effectively reduced. These advantages are sufficient to attract more exploration works of thixoforming operation. Thermal analysis of the composite, as-cast microstructure, wear surface and subsurface area of the thixoformed alloy were investigated. Wear behavior of the specimens were examined using a pin-on-disk machine based on ASTM-G99, at the applied loads of 25, 50 and 75 N and the constant sliding velocity of 0.25m/s. The worn surfaces and subsurfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experimental results indicated that the thixoformed specimens exhibited superior wear resistance than the as-cast alloy. Moreover, the dominant wear mechanism is an adhesive wear followed by the formation of a mechanical mixed layer (MML). However, a severer wear regime occurs in the as cast specimens compared with the thixoformed ones
Zahra Rousta, Esmaeil Tohidlou, Hamed Khosravi,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2021)
Abstract
This study deals with the effects of erbium (Er) addition on the microstructural evolution and tensile properties of Al-Mg2Si in-situ metal matrix composites. The morphology of primary Mg2Si and eutectic phases were observed in details using optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the increase of Er content has a slight effect on the size and morphology of primary Mg2Si phases, but the eutectic structure evolves from the coarse structure into the fine one. Also, with Er addition the eutectic mixtures of Al and Mg2Si with fibrous morphology has been developed instead of the flake like Al-Mg2Si eutectic microstructure. Meanwhile, Al3Er phase was observed in the samples containing Er. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the composite changes under the various content of Er. The maximum strength was found at the 0.6 wt% Er with the fine eutectic microstructure. The study of SEM micrographs from the fracture surface of composites revealed that Er addition changes the fracture mode from brittle to ductile one with fine dimples. The mechanism of microstructural evolution was discussed in details.
